Chief Customer Officer, SES Water
CEO Valda Energy
Director of Operations Energy Ombudsman - Hannah Harrison
Chief Purpose Officer Dr Elizabeth Blakelock
Former Director of Residential Services and COO E.On Damian Kirk
Rob Sawle, Director of Utilities, at Sigma Connected Group
It has been very easy working with you, and you have put forward such great candidates, it has been a pleasure meeting them. We will certainly be using you again – you are fab!”
“I think it's been more of a customer service that you've given us rather than that what I'll call that stereotypical headhunting agency, which is just the CV's. You've kept us informed all the way through and not backed down on the diversity challenge that we’d given you because that's quite easy. Sometimes you can go, look, I just can't find that person"
“You’ve done a stonking job with this search Holly, I think we’re really going to struggle to choose.”
Why it matters to you - at a glance
Hours
Retention Rate
Diversity
Years Experience
Success
Renewables
Water
Nuclear
Energy
Electric
Cleantech
Chief Customer Officer, COO, Operations Director, Field Operations, Production, Metering, Billing, Logistics, Water, Energy, Electric, Gas, Batter, Storage, Cleantech, Renewables, EV, Infrastructure and Sustainability.
We support Utilities organisations, as well as SaaS and professional service providers who also support the Utility market. Investors, Chairs, CEOs, COOs, CPOs, and business leaders, helping you hire more impactful, diverse leaders and skilled subject matter experts to drive your business transformation, performance and growth. Saving you time and money.
We have a passion and commitment for Diversity and the production of balanced representation across our long and shortlists. We are an advocate of WUN (Women in Utilities Network) and WiCX (Women in Customer Experience).
Since 2017 - 57% of our appointments have been from diverse individuals, 24% of which were ethnically diverse.
Learn more about our Executive Search Service.
Utilities Leadership Executive Search, Recruitment Consultants________
At Douglas Jackson, we help Utilities businesses hire exceptional leaders who deliver lasting impact. As an independent, boutique executive search and recruitment consultancy, we partner with CEOs, COOs, HR Directors, and senior leadership teams to identify and secure diverse, high-performing talent who stay longer, perform better, and drive transformation.
Our proven Impact 360 Search Process has delivered senior appointments and subject matter expert hires for large blue-chip, FTSE 250, and global award-winning organisations across the Utilities sector, as well as scaling and transforming Series B, Series C, PE-backed, and VC-backed utility companies. We have successfully placed leadership talent across energy, water, gas, and renewable utilities, including roles such as Chief Customer Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Operations, Chief Finance Officer, Transformation Director and senior technical and operational specialists for Operational Support, Metering, Billing, Planning, Insight Analytics and AI.
By combining deep sector insight with a highly personalised, data-led search process, we help utilities businesses strengthen their leadership, navigate complex market change, and accelerate growth in a rapidly evolving, regulated environment.
We offer a completely confidential service proposition, working in true partnership with you to achieve the right outcome for all.
Utility Leadership Articles and Insight.
A snapshot of Utility leadership articles and insight which feature in The Utilities Leadership Pulse - A headhunters guide to leadership, with tips, news & thoughts for business & individuals across the Utilities industry.
We would like to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our own Holly Beeston, who was recently honored at the Great British Businesswoman awards ceremony for her finalist nomination in the Businesswomen of the Year, Utilities category.
The awards, sponsored by Stella Insurance featured over 600 submissions from women across various industry sectors, a shortlist of 200 finalists and then 23 winners were selected
Our Managing Partner, Michelle Ansell joined Holly to show her support, immense pride and to help celebrate Holly's fabulous achievement.
Michelle said "Holly has had a fantastic year this last year, delivering against some really tough recruitment assignments, she has continued to work with some amazing brands and business and the individuals she has supported in their new careers have made significant impacts across the Utilities sector: Energy, Gas, Water, Renewables, BPO and Tech. Holly is passionate about Diversity and has also been an active member and advocate for WUN - Womens Utilities Network helping to further the opportunities available to women across the sector, she has spoken to aspirational female leaders at Women on Boards and the Institute of Water
Many congratulations and well done to Holly from all the team.
Hiring Exceptional Utility Leaders
At Douglas Jackson, we partner with leading Utilities organisations, across energy, gas, water, sustainability, and cleantech, to secure transformative leaders who deliver measurable impact. Our expertise spans appointing Non-Executive Directors, Executives, and Senior Leadership professionals on a permanent, fractional, or interim basis, helping our clients strengthen leadership, improve retention, and achieve sustainable growth.
Driving Success in Every Watt – Placing visionary energy leaders who fuel innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver customer-centric transformation.
Gas Leadership Excellence – Appointing proven leaders who drive strategic growth, manage complex infrastructure projects, and unlock new market opportunities.
Water Industry Expertise – Delivering senior talent who ensure regulatory compliance, optimise performance, and lead with environmental stewardship.
Electrifying Leadership Bench Strength – Building high-performing teams that accelerate the shift to renewable energy and future-proof operational capacity.
Sustainable & Cleantech Leadership – Providing leaders who champion ESG principles, spearhead decarbonisation, and deliver a resilient, low-carbon future.
Championing Diversity in Utilities – Fostering inclusive leadership teams, empowering women, and ensuring talent reflects the communities our clients serve.
When exceptional leadership matters, our proven Impact 360 Search Process ensures you hire the right leaders, those who stay longer, perform better, and deliver lasting results.
In a recent Impact Room edition Holly Beeston, Utilities Practice Lead at Douglas Jackson, engages in a deep dive with Dr. Elizabeth Blakelock, a distinguished regulatory academic and a key figure in the UK Regulators network's Vulnerability Academy who is known for empowering changemakers to transform society. Watch here.
Hear from Hannah Harrison, Director of Operations at the Energy Ombudsman and International Hockey Umpire. Hannah is a dynamic force, not only leading teams in the utilities industry but also achieving her dream of umpiring at world-class tournaments, including the prestigious Paris 2024 Olympics.
Schedule a no obligation meeting to discuss more about how best to hire a Director across your Utilities business
Utilities Success Stories: Transforming Organisations Through Leadership
Take a look at some of our recent Case Studies:
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A Chief Customer Officer for a Water Company
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Chief Finance Officer for a mid sized B2B Energy solutions provider
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A Customer Service Director for a private Utility company
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A Sales Director for a B2B Utilities Supplier
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A Chief Customer Officer for for an Electric Vehicle Charging Company
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An Operations Director for a Utilities Wholesaler
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A Head of Logistics for a Utilities Water Retailer
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A Head of Billing and Collections for a B2B Utility business
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A Resource Planning & Forecasting Director for a top tier utility provider
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Chief Growth Officer, Scaling Utility SaaS provider
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